Which Wadding
To help you chose the right wadding for your project.
Wadding provides warmth, loft, and structure, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. With so many options—cotton, polyester, wool, and blends—it’s easy to get lost in the details. Here is a guide to help you understand the difference types and what to consider for your quilt.
What Is Quilt Batting?
Wadding also called batting, is the layer of insulation between your quilt top and backing. It comes in different fibers, thicknesses (loft), and densities, all of which affect how your finished quilt will look and feel.
Whether you want a warm winter quilt, a lightweight summer throw, or an heirloom-quality masterpiece, choosing the right batting is key to getting the results you want.
Cotton Wadding
Best for: Traditional quilts, hand quilting, vintage-style finishes
Pros: Natural fibre, breathable, soft drape, flame-resistant, shrinks slightly for a crinkled look.
Cons: Can be heavier, may drag on the needle during hand quilting, shrinks 3–5% after washing
Wool Wadding
Best for: Heirloom quilts, cold-weather quilts, hand quilting
Pros: Warm, breathable, moisture-wicking, high loft adds texture
Cons: More expensive, may require careful washing
Polyester Wadding
Best for: Baby quilts, budget-friendly projects, frequent washing
Pros: Lightweight, inexpensive, durable, doesn’t shrink, holds shape well
Cons: Less breathable, can feel synthetic, slippery for machine quilting
Bamboo Wadding
Best for: Eco-conscious projects, bedding
Pros: Soft, breathable, hypoallergenic, moisture-wicking, sustainable
Cons: Can be pricier, may be less widely available
Blended Wadding
Best for: Versatile use, combining durability and softness
Pros: Balanced properties, less shrinkage than pure cotton, more breathable than pure polyester
Which loft should I go for?
This refers to the weight or thickness of the wadding. In general, the higher the loft, the thicker it is; a lower loft means it’s thinner. The higher the loft, the more puffy your quilt will be. The highest-loft waddings are usually made of polyester and can be more difficult to machine quilt. Low-loft quilts are good for traditional-looking quilts. Medium-loft waddings are usually puffier and can be machine or hand quilted.
Do you want breathable?
If you’re planning to use your quilt on a bed, it might be preferable to have a breathable wadding. Cotton and wool waddings breathe better than polyester. Wool is naturally breathable and will ensure the ultimate warmth in winter while staying cool in summer. Wool is the warmest type of wadding, followed by polyester and then cotton.
Bamboo wadding is also incredibly soft, naturally hypoallergenic and has good moisture-wicking properties, which can make it a comfortable and breathable choice for bedding and other items that come into contact with skin.
Are you looking for a sustainable and environmentally friendly option?
If you want the most sustainable wadding, we recommend using either a natural fibre such as bamboo, a recycled blend, or 100% cotton. There is a Sew Simple Super-Soft EcoBlend which is made from 100% recycled material – 70% cotton and 30% polyester.
Alternatively, bamboo wadding is naturally sustainable, highly renewable, biodegradable and can be composted.
Do you want to wash your quilt regularly?
Polyester is ideal if you expect to wash your quilt regularly. Be mindful that natural options require careful handling, particularly wool. If you accidentally shrink delicate fibres like wool, the wadding will never lie flat. If you use wool or silk, remember to use a very mild detergent made specifically for wool products, use lukewarm water only and dry flat if possible.
Is your quilt for a newborn baby?
Duvets, pillows and quilts are not recommended for babies under one year old. For babies over one, choose a lightweight, breathable wadding for a cot quilt.
References.